The 17th Patriarch s family name was Lu, given name Zhong-Yi, and

Transcription

1

2 Patriarch Jing-Gong : A Brief Biography The 17th Patriarch s family name was Lu, given name Zhong-Yi, and bestowed name Tong Li Tzu. His hometown was in Jining, Shandong Province, and was born on April 24, 1853 in the lunar calendar. In his childhood, Patriarch Lu studied in a private village school and was very good at calligraphy, especially the seal type (of calligraphy). As he got older he became a farmer. He joined the army in 1880 as a grading examiner of a small military station in Tianjing. In 1895, he was miraculously inspired by God in his dream directing him to receive Tao (Dao) from the 16th Patriarch Liu. So he left the military, went to become the disciple of Patriarch Liu in Chingchou, and started to study Tao (Dao) mainly by doing labor work at the temple and the affiliated teahouse. In 1900, he received Tao (Dao) and became a Tao (Dao) Transmitting Master and began to propagate Tao (Dao) in the Chingchou area. Five years later, Patriarch Lu became the 17th Patriarch. In 1909, he went on to Gong County, Honan Province to spread Tao (Dao). Then he returned to his home town, Jining, to visit the rest of his family and introduced Tao (Dao) to his sister Lu Zhong-Jei, nephew Cheng Hsin-Long and other relatives. On February 2, 1925 in the lunar calendar Patriarch Lu returned to heaven at age 73, and was bestowed by God as Patriarch Jing- Gong. Prior to returning to heaven, he had spread Tao (Dao) in four provinces including: Shandong, Honan, Shansi, and Shensi, and had more than ten thousand Tao (Dao) disciples. There were thirteen Tao (Dao) leaders under him, including Patriarch Zhang, Guangbi and Matriarch Sun, Suzhen. 7

3

4 Buddha Tianran : A Brief Biography The 18th Patriarch s family name was Zhang, given name Kuisheng, also called Guangbi, and bestowed name Tianran. His hometown was Jining, Shandong Province, and he was born on July 19, 1889 in the lunar calendar. When he was born, the heavenly temple had a fire and the sky was all ablaze, the Yellow River turned clear, and there were auspicious signs between the heaven and earth, truly signifying that a sage had descended upon the earth. The Patriarch was born with an outstanding appearance, with a flat skull, square forehead, and eyes with double pupils, endowed by heaven with wisdom, benevolent in nature. In 1915, when he was twenty-seven, he met Teacher Zhu and received Tao (Dao), was persistent in learning about Tao (Dao), and faithfully went about establishing Tao (Dao). In 1920, after Teacher Zhu returned to heaven, the Patriarch was trusted by Patriarch Lu to accompany him everywhere. Patriarch Lu taught him virtue and glorified himself, and the Patriarch s Tao (Dao) cultivation progressed greatly. In 1925, Patriarch Lu returned to heaven. In 1930, God gave order that the Patriarch and Matriarch should shoulder the holy mission of passing on Tao (Dao) together, redeeming beings in the Three Worlds. The Patriarch and Matriarch took on the mission and carefully carried it out, bearing insults and burdens, and Tao (Dao) affairs were thriving with each passing day, spreading to all provinces in China by In 1946, the Patriarch was invited by Tao (Dao) relatives to Chengdu to lecture on Tao (Dao). In 1947, on August 15 in the lunar calendar, the mid-autumn day, the wise Patriarch returned to heaven, at the age of 59, bestowed by God as Buddha Tianran. Even though the Patriarch was in a high position, he cared deeply for all beings, and his devotion to save them was endless. His inspiration and miraculous deeds were manifested everywhere, redeeming a wide range of human beings, everyone benefiting from his kindness between heaven and earth. 9

5

6 Zhong Hua Holy Mother: A Brief Biography The 18th Matriarch s family name was Sun, given name Suzhen, also called Mingshan, and bestowed name of Huiming. Her hometown was in Chan County, Shandong Province, born on August 28, 1895 in the lunar calendar. She received teachings from childhood, had a demure and quiet nature, and received Tao (Dao) in Her heart was filled with endless kindness and deep caring. In 1930, Tao (Dao) s situation changed and God gave order that the Patriarch and Matriarch should shoulder the holy mission together so men and women would be equal in establishing Tao (Dao), the fortune that Tao (Dao) brought to common homes. Various Buddhas made miracles in many places and people had many testimonies. The Matriarch heard about it and knew heavenly order shouldn t be disobeyed, so she carefully supported and aided the Patriarch, so women could cultivate the great Tao (Dao) in the same way as men since thousand years ago. On the mid-autumn day in 1947, the Patriarch returned to heaven and the heaven and earth were both sad, even grasses and trees felt the grief, disciples shaken by the deep sadness. The Matriarch changed the severe situation and stabilized Tao (Dao). Disciples were inspired by her virtue and left their homes to spread the light of Tao (Dao), revitalizing the holy cause. In 1949, the political situation changed and the Matriarch took refuge in Hong Kong. In 1954, Arch Master Han, Yu-Lin overcame various difficulties and invited the Matriarch to Taiwan. The Matriarch s great wish moved heaven and changed crisis into opportunity, so I-Kuan Tao could stand up between heaven and earth, and be legally propagated, from Taiwan to many countries in the world, receiving affirmation by many governments. On April 5th, 1975 (February 23rd, 1975 in the lunar calendar) the wise Matriarch returned to heaven at age 81, and was bestowed by God the Buddhahood of Zhong Hua Holy Mother. 11